Political Science

Psychology: Biopsychology. Cognitive Psychology. Criminal Behavior. Death and Dying The Enneagram and Psychology Evolutionary Psychology. Personality Psychology Psychological research methods. Psychology books: Nature of Prejudice by Gordon W. Allport. Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman. Pessimism (defensive) (Norem).

Political science: Introduction to Political Science. Political Science Glossary.

Crime: Criminal Behavior. Criminal Justice Glossary. Criminal Investigation. Samenow's Inside the Criminal Mind. Brian Innes's The Body in Question: Exploring the Cutting Edge of Forensic Science.

Related: Ecology. Evolution.

Disclaimer Links. Books read recently. Best books read. Harry Potter books.

Note: this site is not giving legal advice, simply organizing information from various classes and texts. If you need legal advice consult your lawyer.

Text book: American Government: Brief Version by James Q. Wilson

Chapters: What Should We Know About American Government? The Constitution Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Federalism Public Opinion and the Media Political Parties and Interest Groups Campaigns and Elections Congress The Presidency The Bureaucracy The Judiciary Making Domestic Policy Making Foreign and Military Policy American Government: Continuity and Change

What this Is and What this Isn't

What this is: These notes were made by a student with a bad memory, in order to attempt to retain highlights of the lectures.

What this isn't: They are not a substitute for reading the text and taking a class.

August 31, 2006 class

1. Why have government? The opposite is anarchy.
   1. Social contracts: You give up some liberties so that others also give up liberties for a smoother societies. e.g. Legislation in California on requiring car drivers using cell phones to listen on an earpiece.
   2. Tragedy of the commons: When no one has to pay for the cost of what they do, the commons are destroyed. Government makes choices and allocates resources long-term, and can save the commons.
   3. Power and money: Predictability and stability are vital for a free-market system.

2. Forms of government.
   1. Authoritarian (like North Korea) or monarchy.
   2. Democracy:
      1. Parliamentarian: 'elected dictatorship' with government in one place.
      2. Direct: such as in a town in Switzerland and California ballot measures (referendum when legislature puts measures on the ballots and initiative when citizens get signatures (or special interests pay to have them gathered)); there are no US federal ballot measures.
      3. Representative.

3. Levels of government in USA:
   1. Federal (includes regulatory bodies).
   2. State.
   3. Local. Decide local ordnances and how land is used.

4. Does it work? In some ways yes, in others, no.

September 5, 2006 class

1. What Should We Know About American Government?

Main ideas:

• Authority.
• Direct Democracy.
• Government.
• Initiative.
• Liberal Democracy.
• Parliamentary System.
• Partizanship.
• Politics.

2. The Constitution

Main ideas:

• Anti-Federalist.
• Articles Of Confederation.
• Bill Of Rights.
• Connecticut (or 'Great') Compromise.
• Constitution.
• Constitutional Convention.
• Federalism.
• Federalist Papers.
• Republic.
• Separation Of Powers.
• Shays Rebellion.

Our BLOG (web log) of Books to read, with recommendations and warnings On Buddhism. On How to Write Poetry. Poetry - Learn How to Write Your Own.

Disclaimer. Copyright © 2006-2008 by J. Zimmerman.

[Thanks for visiting.]